Seasonal Carcass Impacts

Date: Jul 01 2026

CAB Insider

An overriding theme across the past 18 months in the beef sector has been increased carcass weights. In general, fed steer and heifer carcasses averaging 25-30 lb. heavier year over year has been a net positive for the industry.

Margins Sqeeze, Markets Cool: What It Means for Fed Cattle

Date: Jun 03 2026

CAB Insider

Focused marketing of a premium beef brand demands some attention to tracking price spreads across differing quality specifications. The USDA quality grade scale provides the domestic measuring stick by which the trade differentiates demand across the quality spectrum.

Rapid Decline in Select Carcasses

Date: May 20 2026

CAB Insider

The steep upward price trajectory in the fed cattle market remains wholly supported on fed cattle remaining in tight supply and the tight grasp of cattle feeders keeping feedlot stays and carcass weights elevated. Weights continue to underpin beef production tonnage, cutting the harvest pace deficit for fed cattle.

Quality Soaring Higher

Date: Mar 19 2026

CAB Insider

Increased Prime carcass production is a boon to sales growth in this category for both Certified Angus Beef and the industry as a whole. A smaller Prime cutout premium above Choice also means greater adoption of this premium product tier by grocers and restaurants. All of the above lead to a firmer foothold for beef as the protein of choice for consumers.

Utilization Key to Prime Success

Date: Feb 11 2026

CAB Insider

More demand for individual Prime grade cuts is being discovered on the part of packers and wholesalers as they educate downstream users about the opportunities to capitalize on growing Prime demand.

Seasonal Demand Shifts Carcass Values

Date: Jan 28 2026

CAB Insider

January often presents the lowest beef demand, while February likely vies second. Also, we see a shift in consumer preference away from holiday middle meat roasts toward end cuts for “comfort food” meals.

Price Speaks Volumes

Date: Jan 14 2026

CAB Insider

While the tightest fed cattle supplies in the cycle are projected this year, consumer demand has issued directional support that tight supplies do not necessitate narrowing of price differentiation for quality.